Combined traction-engine and elevating-grader.



PATENTED 001'. 30,1905.

H. A. GLAPP.

COMBINED TRACTION ENGINE AND BLEVATING GRADBR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.26.1905.

2 $HEETSSEBET 2 purposes.

the members C and D, be

,HIRAM ALLAN cLAPP,

or oHioAeo, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED TRACTION-ENGINE AND E LEVATING-GRADER- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 30, 1906.

Application filed-August 26,1905. Serial No. 275,996.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM ALLAN CLAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and ,State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Traction-Engine and Elevating-Grader; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,- clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a combined traction engine and grader.

It has for one of its objects to combine a traction-engine and amachine for grading A further-object is to combine an engine and grader in a manner whereby the distance between the engine and the plow member of the'grader will be greatly reduced from that obtained when combining an engine and an ordinary grader. I

Still another object is to provide a positively-driven elevating member for carrying away the dirt from theplow member.

Another object is to positively drive the elevating member from the engine by means of a positive driving connection between the two.

A further object is to simplify construction reducethe .cost of production, and, furthermore, to reduce the draft, all of which will be pointed out.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a traction-engine having coupled therewith a grading-machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the grader. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a latform of the traction-engine, showing a soc et for the receptionof a member of the grading-machine. .Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of caps for covering the socket shown in Fig. 3-. Fig. 5 is a modified form of connection between the en gine and grader.

The engine is represented by the letter A, being of that form known as a grader-en gine, though as a matter of fact other'kinds; can be as readily used.

At B is an extension, rigidl secured to the rear of the. engine and pro er y braced, as by ow and above, re platform or extenin rigid position e of supporting much weight.

spectively, whereby said sion is pro erly sustaine and capab Preferably, though not necessarily, this extension B is formed of channel-iron to give it rigidity and stren th, and inside it is bolted a member C, para lel with the rear limb, and between these is bolted a block D at sub stantially the middle of the width of the extension, as shown in Fig. 3. In'this block is a socket E, the purpose of which will presently a pear. i

In t e rear of the engine (see-Fig. 1) is represented a grading-machine, comprising the mainframe F, whose rear end is sup orted and carried on the ground-wheels a pended from a portion J of the frame F is the plow member K, forward of which is the usual rolling cutter L, also carried on the frame ortion J. Suspended within the main frame is an elevating mechanism, comprising the elevator-bodyM, ea ing at each end a shaft N and sprocket-whee s O, which procarry sprocket-chains P, provided with drag the bottom of the saidbody M for receiving the dirt turned by the plow and elevating and discharging it from the top of the elevator at the side of the ditch being excavated. The elevator-body is suitably supported at its lower end-as, for instance, by a hanger R Fig. 2,up on which it can pivot-the upper end being adjustable by'means of a rope or cable S, carried over a pulley T, sus ended from the top of the machine-frame, ailthough it is to. be understood that any other means may be used for accomplishing the same purpose. Also an desired mechanism ployed ibr imparting the proper movement to the drag members. I have shown in the drawings one form for driving the drag-chains. which ma be understood from the following. Secure to the ground-wheel at one side of the machine is a beveled gear-wheel U, with which .meshes a on a shaft W, lying at ht angles to the axle carrying the ground-w fieels. The opposite end of said shaft W carries a sprocket-wheel 2, and a chain 3 thereon serves to im art movement to a s rocket-wheel'4 on the lhwermost shaft N o the elevator. Now it will .be seen that a forward movement of the grading-machine will drive the sprocketwheel 2 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2,

and alike direction of movement will be im- ,ject through the bottom of said body and may be empini on-gear V, carried" by v means of the uprights H or other means. Susymembers Q, designed to travel upward upon ported to the wheel 4-,with the result that the upper stretch of elevating-chain will move toward the upper end of the elevator: or in a direction to properly discharge the dirt being moved.

Thus far the grader described does not di'fler materii'tlly from those commonly used; but my inq'irovements and invention will now be understood, since it is neither the grader nor the engine that I desire to secure by Letters Patent, but the peculiar combinationol" the two and the connections by which they are coupled together and which will be described at thistime. It will be observed that the grader is destitute of forward sup porting-wheels and all mechanism necessary. to their use, and. it Will be further observed tl at the forward end of the grader-frame is I L ried up to and upon the extension B of the engine. (See Fig. 4..) Secured to the under side of the frame is a bolster F, consisting of a casting having a ball at its lower end adapted to lit in the socket E of the block D, hereinbofore described. It is thus seen that a, ball-and-soekct joint results, which will. allow the desired pivotal motion between the two machines. in 4 are depicted two members 6 designed to be secured upon. the block D to cover and hold the ball in the, socket E. These members are arched, so as to permit ll e ball to have free movement, all of which may be understood. In order to provide more strength for theconnection between the engine and grader, I employ a bur 7 one end of which is suitably secured to some part of the frame l (connection not shown, )the other end having a hole 8 designed toreceive npin or stud depending from the block 3) and there held by a cotter-pin or other similar device 9, Fig. 1.

e, nn-idi'lication of the pivotal connection between the engine and grader l have eh wn in Fig. the usual fifth-wheel connection used on many classes of implements, such as wagons and the like. The frame F is supported on the upper rim 10 of the fifthwhcel by the upright 11, the lower rim 12 ying upon the extension B of the engine. This also provides at very desirable connection, as is evident.

The removal of the front wheels and the elimination of the parts necessary to their use on a grader admits oi the latter being brought about eight feet closer to the engine than would otherwise be possible. The result is that a shorter turn can be made, and a ditch designed to have sharp turns in it can be readily and easily excavated. A further advanlugc ol' thus shortening the wbccl-basc of the combined inuilcmcuts is that a much lighter dra'l't results. it is also evident that on outfit of this form is much more cheaply constructed and is much stronger and more rigii'l .thrmighout. l5 thc means dcscribcd also a grzulcr of any umlte can bc cluuigcd to sseess couple with an engine in a very short time when desired to convert it l'roui a horsedrawn to an urgine-drmvn lmLClllllC.

I have illustrated and described herein means for driving the elevating portion of the grader from the grou rid-wheel bu t l. have also shown a positive driving coni'lection between the said elevating portion and the engine-by which the latter will impart unlimited power to the elevator. As a matter of but it is often impossible to elevate the dirt turned by the plow when the ground is solt or wet, for the reason that the groundavhccls slip, so that the work must be in many cases abundoned until more favorable conditions exist. In View of this I have provided the means shown in Fig. 1, consisting of a shaft mounted in bearings 14 and 15 on the boiler and carrying at one end a, beveled gear Hi, adapted to mesh. with a similar wheel 17 on the euginesheft 18. The upper shalt N of the grader-elevator is provided at its end with a knuckle-joint 19, as also is the free end of the said shalt l3, and between both said shafts is a tumbling-rod 20 by which the power imparted to the shaft 13 can be im-- parted tov the shaft N. The tumbling-rod is made square or rectangular in cross-section, there being two parts, one otwhicb. adapted to telescope the other. This is in order to permitthe said rod to lengthen or shorten at will as the elevator is raised and lowered or as the relation of the g adcr and engine varies in turning curves. The power at-the engine is practically unlimited, and the cl vator is therefore rendered capable of raising great weigh t and working under all conditions. it is quite evident that other mechanical connection could be used to replace the mecliauism described, and some means can be used to disengage the gears U and V at the groundwhecl. The elevator is then adapted to be d riven from either the ground-wliccls or from the engine behind which it is drawn.

I have intimated that I do not wish to con fine myself to' any particular structure as in the grader or connections between it and the engine, but I. desire to secure the combination of an engine and elevatiuggrador having the positive driving advantages lPSGlllfl'll, also shortening the connection between the implements and lightening the draft by rcumviug the power from the grouml-whcels andthe like.

I claim I I. A grading and ditching apparatus comprising a traction-engine having a rearward extension thereon, and a grading-macbil'lc having carryiug-wbeels at its rear end, the .l'or nrd end ol such niachiuc having support on the rearward extension of the engine,

.tberc being pivotal means between such ongin and grader for the purposes dcscribcd.

2. in an apparatus ol the character dcscribcd, tlu comlnnation ol a lraction-cuginc,

a grading-machine in therear thereof, an elevating means on the latter for dischar ing dirt removed from the vicinity of the p ow, an extension on the engine and an extension on the forward portion of the grader for pivotal connection with the engine extension all for the purposes herein described.

3. A power grading apparatus comprising a traction-engine having a rearwardextension, a dirt moving and elevating machine in the rear of the engine, rear carrying-wheels for the machine and pivotal connection between the front end of the machine and the engine extension for the purposes described 4. In a power-drawn grading and elevat- .in a aratus a traction-en ine havin an extension at its rear end, a frame in the rear of the engine and having pivotal attachment at its forward end with the engine extension, carryingwheels at the rear end only of the frame, the forward end of the latter being supported and carried at its front end upon the said extension, a dirt-turning member carried on the frame and an elevator likewise carried thereon.

5. In a power-operated grading apparatus, the combination of a traction-engine having a rearward. extension, a frame behind the en gine having rear carrying-wheels and carried and supported at its forward end on such rearward extension, a dirt-turning member and a dirt-elevating member carried by the said frame, and driving connection between the said rear wheels and the elevator for driving the latter.

6. In a power-operated grading apparatus,

a traction-engine having a rearward extension, a frame behind the engine having pivotal connection with the extension, rear carryingewheels for said frame, a dirt-turning member and an elevator carried on the frame, driving means between the said rear wheels and the elevator, and ositive driving connection between the said elevator and the engine, the said elevator adapted to be operated either by the said rear wheels or by the en'- gine.

7. .In a power-operated grading apparatus,

a traction-engine a grading-machine rear-i ward thereof and drawn thereby, the forward end of the machine being supported on' theengine, an elevator on the machine for carrying dub and a ng d rod member connecting the engine and the elevator for positively driving the latter,

said memberaccommodating itself to the varying positions of the engine and grader relatively. "8. In a power-operated ading apparatus,

a traction-engine, a gra -maehine rearward thereof and supporte at its forward end on said engine, rear carrying-wheels for I the machine, a dirtelevati ng member for the grader and an adjustable rod connection between the engine and the grader adapted to shorten and lengthen and accommodate itself to the varying positions of the engine and the grader relative 9. In a power-operated rading apparatus, a traction-engine, a gra ing-machine rearward thereof, a dirtelevating member for the grader and a tumbling-rod connecting the said elevator and engine and adapted. to drive the former in any position of the grader with reference to that of the engine.

10. In a power-operated grading apparatus, a traction-engine, a grading-machine rearward of the engine and having its forward end pivotally supported on the said engine there being carrying-wheels at its rear end, a dirt-elevator on the grader and a tumblingrod connecting the elevator and. engine, for positively driving such elevator, the rod adapted to shorten and lengthen and alter its position to accommodate itself tothe varying ositions of the engine and grader rela- 8 5 tive y.

11. The combination of'a traction-engine, a grading-machine rearward of, drawn by and supported at its forward end on said engine, sal machine having carrying-wheels only at its rear end, its only other support being at its forward end as described, an elevator for the grader for removing the dirt turned by the plow member, and a tumbling-rod connection between the engine and elevator for transmitting driving power from the former to the latter, said rod having provision for changing its length to accommodate itself to the varying distances between the machines which it connects, said rod likewise conformzoo. ing to the varyingpositions of the machines relatively as in turning curves.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HIRAM ALLAN CLAPP. W'itnesses:

W. H.- COT-JEAN, J. W. MCDOWELL. 

